The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-04
Although There Are Several Delegates Pres
ent Who Will Endeavor to Bring in Mat
ters That May Provoke Controversy.
The Opposition to General Master Work.
man POwderly Not Formidable.
Monster Meeting Last Night at Which Mr..
Powderly Makes O Brief Address on
the Aims and Desires Of the Order.

Special TO the Indianapolis journal.
MISNEAPoLIs, Oct. 3.-There will be very
few vacant seats when the General Assembly of
the Knights of Labor is called to order to-mor-
row morning. Nine-tenths of the delegates have
arrived and handed in their credentials, and
most OF the abssntees will be on the late
night trains. The committee on credentials
held morning and afternoon sessions and devot-
ed considerable time to the protests filed against
the admission OF Geo. A. Schilling and c. f.
Seb. of District Assembly o. Of Chicago. Both
men. together with Robt. Nelson and J. j. Ma
honey, were elected by large majorities, but
since that time there has been internal dissen-
sions which have resulted in the fight unseat
the two named. The had not
been decided when the committee adjourned,
but ths chances are that the protests
will be overruled. There was also considerable
discussion over Buchanan. the Chicago man
with Colorado credentials, aud his case is still
in the balance, with the chances against him.
It is understood that he will champion the cause
of the New York carpetweavers He says that
he will keep up tho fight year after year, if
necessary, until the organization is again
ceived into the fold or the general executive
board shows to the satisfaction OF all concerned
that their suspension was constitutional Geo.
petition for she reinstatement of the assembly.
and the question is bound to como up in the reg
ular proceedings. 1t is more apparent tonight
than ever that the proceedings of the assembly
will be characterized by the average amount of
peace and harmony incident TO gatherings of
the kind. The Milwaukee brewers make their
little kick about Powderly's 9 temperance
circular. The Canadians will probably
io+ hat %hoy TIM md pot
too little self government, rather none at all.
The Chicago delegates may raise rumpus over
ths action Of the executive board in putting
quistus on the stock yards strike. and the dele
gates from several other localities will como to
the front with the usual budget of complaints.
But, after all. nothing eiious will occur. There
will be no split, and what is moro important. no
general clamor for the scalp of the general mas
ter workman. The storm that has been pre-
dicsed upon the rumbl of thunder that have
been heard for so many months, is hardly likely
to burst. The men who have been pictured as
rampant anti Powderly men-such individuals
as Buchanan, Frank Forster. OF Massachusetts,:
Robert Schilline. OF milwaukee,. aud score OF
othsrs-are meek as lambs just now.
and are vowipg by the Eternal that
they nsver uttered the hellcose sentiments
that have bsen attributed to them, or if they did,
they didn't mean what they said, and that after
ALL il Powderly has made mistakes somebody
else IN the same position might have made more
The general disposition, in fact, seems TO be TO
shift the responsibility for what troubles have
occurred in the order from Powderly's shoulders
to those Of the general executive board, and this
body will probably come in for some pretty hard
knocks But the terms of Office of its memb bers.
in accordance with that portion of the constitu-
ton adopted at Richmond, has another year to
run. and it is hardly within the probabilities
that any designations will be demanded. or that
anything serious enough will be alleged to war
rant unseating them. All of them admit that
mistakes have been made. but they claim, at the
same time, that there is no body of men perfect,
and that they have done as we'll as any set OF
men placed in their position could be expected
to do; and unless all signs are deceptive the
great majority OF the convention will agree
with the argument, and admonsh them to try
and do better for the balance OF their terms.
Powderly arrived this afternoon and walked the
entire distance up Hsnnepin avenue from the
Union Depot to the hotel, without being identi-
fed by solitary individual. Once inside the
rotunda. however, he was heartily welcomed by
the hundreds of local and visiting Knights that
were awaiting him, and IL nearly hour
before he could get to his room He had little to
say besides referring to the importance of the
coming gathering. and the fact that many ques-
tions would be settled during its continuance
which would be found in the principles upon
which the great interest of the order hinged.
He added that he knew nothing Of his own pros
poets in the convention or of the element
of localism, and he would not
touch upon these matters at all;
and if they came up they would have to be dis
Guessed and determined by the convention with
out his aid.
The Chicago delegates admit that they will
force action concerning the Anarchists, but deny
a published rumor that If they cannot obtain
their end they will withdraw from the conven-
ton.
The friends of General Secretary Litchman
are rallying to his support against the charges
they will be quickly disposed Of He will not be
here until tomorrow.
A movement is on foot to change the location
of the general Offices from Philadelphia to Chi
NnrIy. hut re ~ Ayrf ad tn ia
1t ia expected that the convention will get
through with the contest on the report of the
COMMITTEES of credsntials in one day. as against
four days so occupied at Richmond. In that
event the report Of the general master workman
will be presented at the opening OF Wednesdays
session.
Opening Procsedings-PowderIy' Address
10 the Western Associated Press.
MINNEAPoLIs, Mimi, Oct. 3.-The general
assembly of Knights of Labor WAS called to
der in Washington Rink this morning by j. P.
McGauehey, secretary of the cooperative board
and chairman of the local committee on arrange
ments. The rink handsomely decorated
and contained about 5000 people. Mr.. Nc
Gaughey read kilograms from Mr.. Powderly and
Secretary Litchman. stating that they had been
delayed, and could hot arrive until
afternoon. Governor McGill had been called
East and was not able to make the ADDRESS of
welcome on the part of the State. Mr.
made brief remarks on the growth
Of the order in the North west and introduced
Mayor Ames, VINO made a formal address OF
The exercises included songs by
specially trained childrsn's chorus. In response
10 Mayor Ames's address Of welcome, Richard
Grifiths general worthy foreman. intro
iuced in place of Mr.. Powderly. He fol-
owed by A A. Carlton. Of the general executive
board. Ae spoke particularly of the growth of
the order and said il would appear. when the re-
ports were all in, that the order not going
TO pieces, but was in reality stronger than ever
He declared that SO long as the many were de-
orived Of rightful share of the products OF
their toll the order would have work to do.
Ralph Beaumont, of Now York. of the